EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPITTSBURGH -- Even after a 50-yard sprint through the heart of the Indianapolis Colts' defense, Jaylen Warren exploded for a final burst of energy as he crossed the goal line for the second time Sunday afternoon.Warren high-stepped and kicked his feet out in front of him, skip-hopping into the end zone with safety A.J. Haulcy still trailing 5 yards behind him.Not only was it a historic moment as Warren became the first player since Herschel Walker in 1986 to record a 50-yard touchdown run and an 80-yard touchdown reception in the same game, but the score and ensuing celebration was also a microcosm of the tough, yet fun-loving demeanor that has led to Warren's long-awaited coming out party over the past three weeks."He's just such a slippery player," quarterback Aaron Rodgers said after the Steelers' 34-22 win. "First guy rarely brings him down. He's good inside the tackles, good outside of tackles, always moving forward, always spinning, slipping out of plays, finishing runs."He's one of the most liked players on the team, and guys want to block for him on the offensive line, and the tight ends and the receivers and just really enjoy his energy from start to finish every day of the week and enjoy what he does for us."And what he did for the Steelers in their Week 5 win was impressive: 15 carries for 101 rushing yards; six receptions on six targets for 87 receiving yards; and, of course, the two touchdowns. All of that amounted to 188 all-purpose yards, marking his third consecutive week of at least 125 all-purpose yards. No Steelers player has had at least 125 scrimmage yards in three straight weeks since James Conner did it four weeks in a row in 2018.With the Steelers' defense holding Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, the league's third-highest paid at the position, to 45 yards on 15 carries, Warren was undeniably the best back in the stadium Sunday afternoon."I've always believed in myself wherever they put me, whatever tier they put me in," Warren said. "It's credit to my O-line. [Taylor and I] exchanged a couple words after the game, and it meant a lot coming from someone like him, JT, premier back."So, whatever tier somebody wants to put me in, that's what it is, but I've always believed in myself."Since earning a spot on the roster with a standout training camp performance as a rookie UDFA in 2022, Warren has almost always been part of a split backfield. That was coach Mike McCarthy's vision, too, when the team signed free agent Rico Dowdle in the offseason. But with Dowdle still recovering from a twice-dislocated toe in the Week 2 loss to the New England Patriots, Warren was forced into the spotlight. He took it -- and quite literally -- ran with it. Since Week 3, Warren has played at least 85% of the Steelers' offensive snaps."Whenever my name's called, I got to seize the moment," Warren said. "And with Rico being down, obviously it sucks, but knowing he's one day closer to coming back, I feel like I can hold it down until then."McCarthy said Sunday that the Steelers hope to have Dowdle back on the field in Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but the coach admitted Warren has thrived with a heavier workload."He's the man," McCarthy said of Warren. "He's hauling it right now for us. There's a number you'd like to continue to give him. He's produced, so it's been heavy. It'd be great to get Rico back this week, too. ... Having him as a one-two punch was the vision of this offense, but Jaylen's crushing it right now. He's been awesome for us."In his five-year career, Warren has played more than 60% of offensive snaps in only nine of his 69 career regular-season games. Last season, he shared snaps with team MVP Kenneth Gainwell. And in his first three seasons, Warren often split reps -- and often fairly evenly -- with 2021 first-round pick Najee Harris. But that hasn't stopped Warren from constantly preparing as if he's going to shoulder the load."The things he does in practice, he continues to finish, and while everyone stops running, he's taking off 80 yards just to do it," left tackle Troy Fautanu said. "And when he comes out here and does things like that and breaks runs off, I'm not surprised because that's the stuff that he practices every day. He deserves it."Before his third-quarter 50-yard score, Warren jump-started the Steelers' offense in the first quarter with an 80-yard catch-and-run score. With the flat wide open, Warren caught the short pass from Rodgers and accelerated to the sideline as wide receiver DK Metcalf paved the way ahead by blocking Colts defensive backs Charvarius Ward and Cam Bynum."His contact balance is just unreal, and he finishes every play," defensive lineman Cameron Heyward said. "That dude does not have a bad day, and we put a lot on his shoulders, but he's able to deliver."Because of his rotational role for most of his career, Warren has flown under the radar in conversations about the league's best running backs. Rodgers, though, believes Warren should start getting more respect."I'm not really on the social media checking out what the scuttlebutt is about the great players in the league," Rodgers said. "But yeah, he should."
